VIVIAN I. "SASSIE" KENNEDY's Obituary
On January 7, 2015 Vivian I. “Sassie” Kennedy passed away quietly in her home at Sidnaw, with her children by her side. She was 100 yrs. old and had lived in her home on the banks of Lake 13 for 69 years.
Vivian was born March 19, 1914 at Coldwater, MI to Alfred and Genevieve (Walker) Teachout.
Vivian grew up on a farm in rural Coldwater, attended local schools, graduating from Coldwater H.S. in 1931. She then attended Branch County Normal where she obtained a teaching certificate. Her first teaching assignment was at Kinderhook from 1932-1935. She put her teaching career on hold in June of 1935 to marry Keith E. Kennedy and became a homemaker and mother. In 1946 the family moved to Sidnaw, and she and her husband began a Hunting & Fishing Resort. In 1948 Vivian renewed her teaching certificate and began teaching grades 5th-8th at the Sidnaw School. She attended summer classes at Northern Michigan University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree (summa cum laude). She continued her teaching career in Kenton, Paynesville, Watton and Trout Creek, retiring in 1977.
In 1976 she was selected a Teacher of the Year and her name was recorded in the National Publication of Outstanding Leaders in elementary education.
Vivian was a member of the Sidnaw Methodist Church and had served as treasurer, pastor-parish relations chairman, Sunday school teacher as well as chief cook and bottle washer for many years. She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary #8945, life member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Michigan Association Retired School Personnel.
Vivian was always a homemaker & busy lady—catering to her guests in the cottages, quilting, embroidering, Swedish weaving and canning fruits and vegetables. She was also a very avid reader. She always had beautiful gardens of both flowers and vegetables and she loved watching the thousands of birds coming to the feeders in her yard.
Vivian is survived by three children Bart (Becky) Kennedy, Jane Wyatt and Faith (Tom) Stenson all of Sidnaw, six grandchildren Kathleen, Thomas, Keith, Elizabeth, Khris and Sean, eight great grandchildren David, Katrina, Morgan, Danielle, Bobbi Leigh, Matt, Matthew and Caitlin, step grandchildren Shelley, Kent and Koren and one great-great grandson Jakob, a brother Ronald (Pauletta) Teachout of Coldwater and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Keith, parents Alfred and Genevieve Teachout and sisters Merian Long and Evelyn Pierce.
A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Sidnaw United Methodist Church with Reverend Steve Rhoades and Pastor John Henry officiating. The family received friends at church on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral service. Covington VFW Auxiliary conducted a service at church at 2:30 p.m. Fellowship and a luncheon was held in the church hall immediately following the funeral service.
Memorials in Vivian’s honor may be directed to the Sidnaw United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will also be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Lockwood Methodist Church in Coldwater, MI. The family will greet friends on Wednesday from 12 noon until the time of the service.
Interment will take place in the Lockwood Cemetery, Coldwater, MI.
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